New System Build Advice

[jagatucci]

Hi All,
I’m planning on building a new C2D-based system and am looking for advice on my tentative build parts. All of the components below are currently available at New Egg and come in at around $2000 total. My component choices are based primarily on gaming needs.

All Feedback concerning any of these parts and the overall configuration is welcome. However, I’ve listed some specific concerns below. Thanks in advance. I’ve bottom-lined my primary questions in red.

Video Card: EVGA 640-P2-N821-AR GeForce 8800GTS
Mobo: EVGA 122-CK-NF68-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Case: Thermaltake Armor Series VA8000BWS Black Aluminum / Steel ATX Full Tower
PSU: PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power l
HD: Seagate Barracuda ES ST3320620NS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
HS&F: ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
Optical Drive: LG Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD
Monitor: ViewSonic VG2230wm Black 22" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD
Input: Logitech G7 Wireless Laser Mouse
Operating System: XP Pro (for now)

My Concerns/Questions:

Of course, the memory issues with the EVGA mobo. I am well aware of issues people are having, but it sounds like there are ways around the overvoltage issues that can be taken if you’re careful. I’ve also chosen the Corsair RAM directly off of EVGA’s list of compatible SLI ready RAM. I’d love to hear from anyone who has had experience with this mobo (good or bad). Bottom Line: are the EVGA 680i problems really that widespread and numerous that I should be scared away from this board?

Overclockability of the E6400 on the EVGA board. I’ve read plenty of positive results OCing with this CPU/Mobo combo, but any other experience OCing with these components would be great. I plan to get as much out of it as I can using air and the 3rd party HS&F listed above. Bottom Line: Are the chances of getting this CPU to 3Ghz as good as many OCers are indicating?

Anyone currently running a similar system in SLI mode? My mobo choice is based on price and the potential it has to allow me to toss in another 8800 card in the near-future. However, I realize that DX 10 cards are probably going to expand in versions and availability over the next year or so (perhaps longer?). So, is going with the DX10 compatible 8800 a good choice here? As an alternative, I can pair my current 7900GT KO 512 with another 7900 GT KO 512 and save $90. Bottom Line: Since I’m not using Vista yet, should I stick with the 7000 series and wait on DX 10 and DX10 Cards to mature? Or will a single 8800’s performance outmatch SLIed 7900GTs and be worth the extra $90 it will take to build a Vista/DX 10 ready system right now.

Again, any other comments concerning any of the other components are more than welcome. Thanks again.

[tcG]

This is the closest to perfect build I've seen on XS thus far... kudos to you. :)

There are, however, a few things that need to be changed.

Although expensive, I would pay the extra $20 to have the best air-cooling on the market today. Tuniq Tower 120 (http://www.jab-tech.com/product.php?productid=3593)

If you are gaming, you'll want to steer away from wireless mice. They are not only heavier, but also produce noticeable lag when playing games. Get the G5 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104191) instead.

SLI is a flawed concept that I would stay away from. Buying to upgrade to two cards in the future is silly when you can sell your old card buy a single-card solution which will run cooler, consume less power, and perform better than a dual-card setup, for the same price... the video card market simply doesn't lend itself to the "buy to upgrade" logic.

Knowing that you won't be going SLI, I would change the motherboard to the Asus Commando, with which motherboard you should have no problems reaching 500 x 7 = 3500MHz.

[jagatucci]

I thought about the Tunic, but I don't think I'm that hardcore. Seems like lots of folks have reached the OC range I'm after with stock HSF and air, so I'm hoping the Freezer 7 will do the trick. As far as the mouse goes, I've heard the wireless G7 does a pretty nice job, even in FPSs. Have you direct experience using them and having them lag? I currently use a lower-end Logitech wireless mouse for BF2/BF2142/COD2 and it seems to work fine. However, it's been a while since I've had a wired mouse. Will I really be able to see much of a difference with the wired G5? Sorry to ask so many follow up questions, but I'm interested in your further impressions.

Do you have a Commanda? If so, have you paired it with a Conroe based chip and overclocked. I looked at this board, but for the extra $20 just the option to potentially SLI seemed worth (that is, to go with the EVGA board even though I might not SLI).

Looking forward to your thoughts. Thanks again.

[dekruyter]

Just to add a bit; I'd get the GTX as prices are coming down; don't get the 680i, think about a E6600 (great prices now).

[tcG]

Have you direct experience using them and having them lag? I currently use a lower-end Logitech wireless mouse for BF2/BF2142/COD2 and it seems to work fine. However, it's been a while since I've had a wired mouse. Will I really be able to see much of a difference with the wired G5?

I have a G7 for office work and an MX500 for gaming... the difference is night and day; I don't know how anybody could deal with gaming on a wireless mouse.



Do you have a Commanda? If so, have you paired it with a Conroe based chip and overclocked. I looked at this board, but for the extra $20 just the option to potentially SLI seemed worth (that is, to go with the EVGA board even though I might not SLI).


Check forums. It's the best overclocker out right now.